Automobile radiator cap



New.`

C, S. PRICE AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP 'Filed June 1o, 1924 NVENTOR:

`v ATTORNEV Nov. 9 1926.

ENTOR:

vATToFmswmv Patented Nov. 9, i926.

narran sraiits rarest CHARLES S. PRCE, OF BETHLEHEE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSGNOR TG SPLITDORF-BETH- LEI-TEM ELECTRICAL COI/PlilaTl",` F BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, .A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

.AUTOMOBILE RADATOR CAP.

Appiicanun nei Jurrie i0, i924. serial no. 719,026.

My invention consists of a novel design` n is of greater simplicity and general utility than the radiator caps heretofore used or known.

My invention further consists of a novel construction in radiator caps for motor ve hicles, whereby the iilling aperture may be opened and closed expeditiously without any ot the inconveniences incidental to these op` erations on the radiator caps know in use.

My invention consists particularly of certain novel constructions in radiator caps7 including a hinged lid and a hinged clasp or locking member therefor, adapted to draw the lid into the closed position and positively loclr the same thereafter by a simple lateral pressure thereon or' the thumb oi' kthe operator; and when in a looked position said locking member is adapted to present a iront vertical ornamental tace adapted to carry a shield or escutche'on having an initial or other syniboi or emblem thereon, said locking member being of ornamental conliguia tion and so constructed as toconceal its pivotal connection and the locking lug on said lid. i

li/.y invention further consists of certain other novel i'eatures ot construction, whereby all the nonintegral parts oi the radiator cap are permanently and non-removably united and the body ot' the radiator cap is in turn secured to the radiator in a non-reinovable manner; so that the cap as a unit, as well as each part thereot' is theft prooi.

For the purpose ot illustrating my invention l haveshown in the accompanying drawings one torni thereof which is at present pieierred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable result-s7 although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variousiy arranged and organized, and that my inven;V

tion is not limited tothe precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure l represents a `front elevation ot a novel radiator cap embodying my invention. Figure 2 represents a plan view oi' the saine.

Figure 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure l represents a side elevation of the radiator cap showing the lid in closed position Figure 5 represents a side elevation ot the radiator cap with the lidv in open position. Figure 6 represents a section on line 6 Figure l.

Figure 7 repi 'esents Va section similar vto .Figure G showing the lid in open position.

Figure 8 represents a planl view of the underside ot the lid. y

Figure 9 represents a sectionfon line 9-9 Figure 4L.

Similar numerals ot reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

ltelerring to the drawings ;-l designates `the body of the cap, oi cylindrical or sleeve shape, and having the twohandles or arms 2 on the respective sides ot the body portion l, and integral therewith. j v 4 rl'he cylindrical body is threaded at the lower portionl thereof to engage a similarly. threaded pipe and this thread may be inter# nal as shown at 3 or external (not shown) depending upon the thread on the radiator inlet pipe. y

ln two diainetrically opposed portions namely the iront and rear of the upperedge y ot the body 1,'thei'e are ormedbiturcated hinge lugs i and 5 respectively integral with the body portion and havingrecesses 6 `and 7 between said lugs. Y

Hinged to the front lugs et and rear lugs 5 are the looking member with its thumb piece 8 `and thecoveror lid 9 respectively;`

each having a hinge member or tongue 10c and l0 respectively adapted to lit in the respective recesses 5 and 7 of the said lugs t and 5. rlhe bearing apertures or'the horizontal hinge pivots or pins ll do not pass completely through the hinge lugs but terminate within one of the lugs as shown at 12 in Figure 9. By this meansV the pivot pins 11 atter being driven into place cannot be removed onceV their outer ends are out iush with ythe body ot the cap as shown at i3, and hence the pins secure the lid as well the locking and thumb piece to the body ot the radiator caps in a non-removable oit theft proot manner.

The looking member 8 is provided with the recess 14, the upper wall 15 of which is inclined upwardly and inwardly. Upon the periphery of the lid at a point in alignment with the recess 14, l provide the projecting locking lug 16 formed integral with the lid and having its nose 16X rounded and its upper surface 17X inclined Vrearwardly and downwardly to coact and interlock with the upper wall 15 of the locking member 8, said lug 16 being of a thickness and depth to be readily contained within the recess 14 when the parts are interlocked as seen in Figure 6. ln the lower face of the lid l provide a cir-A cular gasket retaining groove 17 of substantially semi-circular cross section concentric with the lid and lof such diameter that the center of the groove will coincide with the inner edge fof the upper face of the radiator cap body when the lid is in the closed Vposition. ln this groove 17 is placed an elastic rubber gasket 18 of suitable cross section so that a portion thereof will entend out yof the groove beyond the lower face of the lid.

ln closing the radiator cap it is only necessary tobear down lightly on the lid and then press upon the thumb piece ofthe locking member S to force it against the lug 16 with a Vlateral thrust of the thumb thereon,

as indicated by the arrows a and b in Figure 7. The wedging action produced by the wall 15 riding over the nose and the outer incline of the lug 16 forces the lid down l tight againstlthe `compression of the gasket 18 which is then compressed and bears against the inner edge of the body 1. lV hen thewall 15 rides over the top of the nose 16 it naturally is forced over the inner incline 17X of the lug f 16 into4 locked position, as shown in Figure 6, so that it can be unlocked only by a similar thrust of the thumb in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrow c in Figure 6.

VThe thumb piece is provided with a front wall 19 of any ornamental contour such as that shown in Figure 1 which stands vertical when the parts are locked and may be further provided with a peripheral bead 20 for retaining in position any ornamented plate or sheet of metal 21 such as shown in Figure 1, bearing thereon any monogram, initials, insignia or coat of arms. The plate 21 in addition to being retained in position by the raised border 20, is also secured by means of rivets or screws 22. ln order to permanently lock the body 1 of the radiator cap to the radiator of the automobile, l provide a vertical threaded hole 23 in the body of the cap and `in line with the main thread 3, into which hole l insert a locking screw (not shown in the drawings).

l desire to call especial attention to the novel construction and function of the locking member S, which is on the front of the cap and is so constructed and positioned that when itis open as seen in Figures 5 and 8, it

Lacasse falls forward by gravity and its rear portion clears the front end of the lug 16. The front wall 2O which serves as a thumb pressure piece is inclined and located at the front of the cap and radiator where it is readily ac cessible to the operator standing in front of the radiator to lill the same, and there is no necessity for reaching over to the rear of the cap or cover to manipulate the same.

lllhen the cover is locked the thumb piece or locking member stands vertical as seen in Figures l and 6, and the cap is closed steam and water tight, it being apparent that said locking member is of ornamental configuration and that when in its locked or vertical position, it serves effectively to conceal its piv otal connection and the locking lug on the cap. When it is desired to unlock the cover this can be readily done by pressing on the rear inclined wall 2d, the locking member 8 then moving from the position'seen in Figure 6, to the position seen in Figure 7, and the cover 9 moving automatically to a slight open position, as seen in said Figure 7. The outer walls of the locking member 8 enter the recesses 25, seen in Figure S, when the cover is locked and thus impart a neat and nished appearance to the front of the cap.

lt is thus seen that my novel automobile radiator cap possesses a number of distinct advantages over automobile radiator caps heretofore in use, namely, the hinged lid and its lock provide a simple and yet very effective closure for the filling opening, with the use of a minimum number of parts; enables an easy mode of operation, secures the lid to the body in a water tight manner and at the vsame time positively locking the same against any tendency to open up due tothe jarring and vibration of the automobile.

My novel construction further provides an automobile radiator cap which as a unit, as well as in every part thereof is theft proof, and a locking means for said cap of two fold utility, namely it serves to lock the lid and provides an ornamental effect.

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A radiator cap for motor vehicles, comprising tubular body, having a rear recess therein, a lid having a rear hinge member pivotally mounted in said rear recess, and provided at its bottom with an annular gasket receiving groove, a gasket in said groove adapted to cause said lid to be slightly raised from its seat when unlocked, a locking lug projecting from the front of said lid and having its upper surface rearwardly and downwardly inclined, and a front locking member having a lower offset hinge member pivoted in a recess in the front of said body below the top thereof and provided with a rearwardly extending upper lug having its bottom wall substantially conforming to the lll) top of the front locking lug of said lid, the pivotal point of said front locking member being inside of its center of gravity so that normally when unlocked it gravitates outwardly away from said lid, said locking member being of ornamental conliguration and serving to conceal its pivotal connection and the locking lug on said lid. v

2. A radiator cap for motor vehicles oomprising a tubular body, havinga rear recess therein below its top, a lid having a rear pendant hinge member pivotally mounted in said rear recess, and provided at its bottom with an annular gasket receiving groove, a gasket in said groove adapted to cause said lid to be slightly raised from its seat when unlocked, a locking lug projecting from the front of said lid and having its up-k per surface rearwardly and downwardly inclined, and a front locking member having -a lower offset hinge member pivoted in a recess in the front of said body below the top thereof and provided with a rearwardly 'eX- tending upper lug having its bottom wall 'substantially conforming to the top of the front locking lug of said lid, the 'pivotal point of said -liront locking member being inside o its center of gravity so that normally when unlocked it gravitates outwardly away o from said lid, saidlocling member having 4its front wall adapted to stand vertically when locked and being of ornamental configuration and serving to conceal its pivotal Y connection and the lug on said lid and provided with a rearwardly inclined top wall to facilitate unlocking.

CHARLES Sv. PRICE. 

